The ICU nurse is concerned with her patient's arterial blood gas (ABG) results—especially the pH 7.30; and PCO2 49 mm Hg. The nurse interprets these ABG results to mean respiratory acidosis
The nurse knows which of the following are clinical manifestations of respiratory acidosis? Select all that apply.
A)
Headache with complaints of blurred vision
B)
Muscle twitching
C)
Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
D)
Complaints of paresthesia sensations around the lips/mouth
E)
Numbness in the fingers and toes
Ans:
A, B
Feedback:
Carbon dioxide readily crosses the blood-brain barrier, exerting its effects by changing the pH of brain fluids. Elevated levels of CO2 produce vasodilation of cerebral blood vessels, causing headache, blurred vision, irritability, muscle twitching, and psychological disturbances. Distracters C and D are related to hypocalcaemia. Numbness in the fingers and toes correlates with respiratory alkalosis.
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